1969 Karmann Ghia Convertible

- By Roxanna J.

Sometimes you have to drive a long way to get that perfect car!  This is the case of Ralph and Nancy M. and their 1969 Ghia.  In 1998 after traveling 1100 miles to Albuquerque, NM to visit Ralph's mother, he spotted this 1969 Ghia.  He said she was too ugly just sittin there in that old garage.

Being an avid Corvette fan, and restoring two older 'vettes (did I just write that? Me, a VW fan? Did I use the "C" word?) he thought it was time for a real challenge!  And he made the 1100 mile trip back to Albuquerque to buy that special Ghia.  He bought the car and towed it to Sardis, Mississippi, where the restorations began.

Brakes are a very important thing on a car to a woman!  Very big thing!  Don't let anyone tell ya differently!  Ralph asked Nancy to drive his "baby." As she pulled up to an extremely busy intersection she realized that the "baby" had no brakes!  Those emergency brake stops are killer, so she has left the driving to Ralph until about a month ago.  Then she climbed back in and tried again!

Looks like Ralph is just gonna have to find him another "project."  I believe that he has created another VW fan!

The car had been in storage for 14 years when Ralph found it.  It still had the original 1500 cc engine and bias tires.  He has restored the car as original as possible with a Grenada Red basecoat, clearcoat and gray carpet and interior.

To date, they have showed their "baby" in 23 shows. But the most memorable was winning First in Class and Best of Show in a show with 130 other cars at the 2000 Thunder on Water Show at Grenada, Mississippi.

So, what other projects are on Ralph's agenda?  Well, seems he has a '61 ragtop that is just begging for attention.  Those projects, just never seem to end!  Can you say "Challenge?"  Or better yet, can you say "Volkswagen?"